The Economic Benefits of Regular Exercise

More productive:
Fit employees are more productive, more creative and more competitive. “Physical fitness is an essential part of the best-run companies.” – T Pickens, Chairman, Mesa Petroleum

Reduced Absenteeism:
The Canadian Life Assurance Company found that turnover among fitness program participants was 32.4% lower over a seven year period compared with non-participants. – Canadian Journal of Health.

Our research time and time again confirms the benefits of healthier, fitter employees. They have fewer and lower long-term medical claims, they are absent less, their disability costs are lower, and their perceived personal productivity and job/life satisfaction levels are higher.”
– Peter Soderberg, President Johnson & Johnson HMI.

“There is no question that regular exercise improves one’s ability to perform, reduces stress, and enhances self image.” – Dr James Rippe, Cardiologist, University of Massacheusetts.

Improve Decision Making:
“Executives who work out regularly are actually better decision makers. Dr Gavriel Salvendy (of Purdue University) tested decision-making capabilities of 80 people over a nine month period. At the end of the test period, the fitness level of the exercisers had risen 22%, while the ability to make complex decisions had increased 70% over that of the non exercisers.”
– Robert J Brosmer, Deborah L Walton, Health and High Performance

Boost Morale:
In a study by Saatch & Saatchi Advertising 63% of employees enrolled in it’s fitness program cited improved productivity and 75% said it boosted morale.

Better Return On Investment:

Motorola returned $3.15 per dollar from its employee fitness program.
PepsiCo found its corporate fitness program had a 300% return on investment: $3 for every $1 invested.
Du Pont: Over a six year period, Du Pont had a return of $2.05 for every $1 invested in it’s employee fitness program.
Prudential Life Insurance found, in a five year study, it returned $1.91 per dollar invested in it’s employee fitness program.

If you are planning an investment in an employee fitness program: The majority of companies offering fitness programs do so through contribution to memberships at high quality health clubs.